Jim Thorpe's 40th Annual Olde Time Christmas Weekends

Jim Thorpe’s 40th Annual Olde Time Christmas Weekends bring you the place to celebrate the holiday season all December long as the snow falls, the bells ring, and everyone is feeling jolly. The Old Time Christmas weekends will be held on Dec. 4/5, 11/12, and, 18/19.

Walking the streets of Jim Thorpe at Christmastime, you’d think Charles Dickens himself had celebrated his own holidays here. The historic Victorian architecture, cheerful music, brisk mountain air, and mouth-watering aromas floating from restaurants bring magic to Jim Thorpe just as if it was right from a Dickens novel.

Downtown Jim Thorpe is decked in Victorian style for the annual Olde Time Christmas Weekends celebration, with special events held over three magical weekends in December. Festivities begin with the tree lighting ceremony in Josiah White Park on December 3. The festival continues 4-5, 11-12, and 18-19, which have strolling carolers and musicians, holiday shopping, and plenty of free family activities. Fees apply to some events, with proceeds benefiting local charities. See website for details.

Enjoy photos with Santa, horsedrawn carriage rides, The Black Forest Krampusnacht Festival, special community holiday events, live entertainment throughout town, and more!

Horse and buggy rides as well as a Santa Train will be offered.

A tree lighting will be held on Dec. 3 in Josiah White Park, with Santa’s arrival and entertainment to benefit local nonprofits.

Tentative activities for Olde Time Christmas Weekends include children’s events, carolers, horse and buggy rides, choir boys, Dickens reading, and a Christmas concert.

Black Forest Krampusnacht Festival

Black Forest Krampsunacht Festival is an immersive fairytale experience, including the Running of the Krampus (Krampuslauf), local vendors & food, a beer garden, costume contest, live music (including polka!), free kids’ crafts & storytime, photos with Saint Nicholas, and a Toys for Tots drive.

The event will take place on December 4th from 11am to 4pm at Kemmerer Park in Jim Thorpe which is across the street from the Harry Packer Mansion within walking distance of the town's main parking area. .

The legend of Krampus is thought to originate in Germany. According to Norse mythology, he is the son of the goddess Hel, who is a daughter of Loki. Though the tradition of young men dressed as hairy, horned, and goatlike Krampii to scare away the ghosts of winter pre-dates the celebration of Christmas, became intertwined with the legend of Saint Nicholas. In many European Alpine towns, it is Krampus who punishes naughty children while Saint Nicholas rewards the good.

Traditionally, Krampus, who has cloven hooves and goat horns, visited children alongside St. Nicholas; St. Nicholas would reward well-behaved children with modest gifts (such as oranges, walnuts, or chocolates) while naughty children would receive punishment from Krampus. Krampus predates the traditional Christian Christmas and has been re-created throughout Europe and the United States for centuries.

Due to the character of Krampus being potentially frightening to children under five years old or children that are typically scared of Halloween-themed events, Black Forest Krampusnacht may not be a suitable place for them.